3 Reasons Why I Will Not Return to Europe Anytime Soon

WARNING: I spent five weeks in Europe this spring, and I will never go back - at least not for a long time.

Yes, that's right, I am giving Europe the HARD PASS from now on.

Here are three reasons why I do not recommend Europe right now:

Europe's tourist destinations are OVERCROWDED and UNABLE TO HANDLE this increased level of tourism.

Upon my arrival at Charles De Gaulle Airport, I spent two hours in the immigration line because they only had two officers working in the non-European line. Not the best welcome, but given the current climate of international relations, inconveniences like this are probably to be expected.

I then boarded the CDGVAL (Paris' Skytrain) and waited impatiently on the train at the Terminal One station for almost 45 minutes due to some delay. Meanwhile, every minute the intercom system came on with a musical jingle and a message in French. Let's just say I wanted to rip the electrical cord on the annoying, unhelpful update that kept ringing in my ears.

After checking into my uncomfortable Airbnb in The Latin Quarter (which added even more stress unless you can speak perfect French), I almost had a mental breakdown when I waited 20 minutes in line for a croissant only to wait another 20 minutes in a different line for a baguette and then another 20 minutes in a final line to pay.

That first afternoon, I took a stroll past the newly-opened Notre-Dame Cathedral, which is breathtaking.

However, every single student tour group from all over Europe was also there.

It was at that moment I started to realize most of Europe is rife with huge, jostling crowds and hour-long lines.

This is just an example of one day from Paris, but until you have been to Prague Castle on a Saturday afternoon, you have no idea of what my personal Hell must be like.

I'll admit I have a more limited capacity than most to enjoy standing awkwardly in line for hours on end, but there has to be a better way for these special places to handle the increased tourist volume.

Transportation within Europe is NOT IDEAL.

My last big vacation to Europe was 25 years ago, and a group of us recent college graduates took a bus tour all around Europe. Everything was efficient and confortable, and I had the time of my life.

This time, I decided (now as a solo traveler) to take some train journeys and a few flights as well.

First off, the Eurostar was an UNMITIGATED DISASTER. Not only is the Eurostar way more expensive than the slower, regional routes (which I highly recommend if you have the time and/or are on a budget), but also it is overcrowded and with minimal space for large suitcases (see next section).

Oh yeah, and the Eurostar was never on time, so why pay the extra money when all you get is extra stress? As a side note, this was my entire experience in Europe. The more you paid, the less value you got.

If you choose air travel, then be prepared for long security lines and unfathomable rules that change in every country. For instance when I flew out of The Czech Republic, I had to squeeze all of my approved liquids into a tiny Ziploc bag, like we were still living in 2002.

In another airport security line, they confiscated my hair trimming scissors because they were longer than like an inch. Like REALLY???

In Germany, security stopped me for extra screening for some item, which ultimately was fine, since I wasn't in a hurry, but what I am saying is plan to be stopped and your bag searched EVERY TIME.

When I left Europe from Paris, the security and immigration lines at De Gaulle took a total of 120 minutes. So be prepared and arrive at the airport early.

The inter-European flights themselves are adequate and provide meal service unlike on airlines in The States, except I also experienced delays on pretty much every flight.

Forget about bringing a large suitcase to Europe unless you have a large budget for taxis or want to put yourself through torment.

Like a travel novice, I brought a large, checked roller bag thinking that I would need it for the five weeks I was there (I didn't).

I mentioned my ignominious start to the trip at De Gaulle before. What I failed to mention was that very few of the escalators or elevators were working in the Metro or other train stations. So that was a major challenge with luggage and requires extra patience and time.

Once I got out into the streets, they are cobblestone, which makes wheeling the bags incredibly impossible. Most of Europe will be like this if you are staying in the Old Town Centers of Brussels, Antwerp, Amsterdam, etc.

Be Prepared. If you are not in ideal shape to lug your bag around, it will be problematic.

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I am sorry to be the bearer of bad news, but someone has to tell it like it is.

If you have never been to Europe or you are itching to return after a long time away, please go and have a good trip. I am just trying to prepare you for the lack of efficiency and the potential for your high expections to not be met.

At the end of the day, there are plenty of other great destinations to discover, and I plan to report on these in the future for you, especially in my new adopted home of Aruba.

Or check out some of my previous destinations like my foodie trip to Vancouver here in the Travel and Wanderlust section of this website.

Until next time Social Musers...Feel free to comment below!